Fanshawe works with Riipen and RBC on work-integrated learning

Fanshawe College and Riipen are pleased to announce an exciting partnership that will provide employer-driven opportunities to engage post-secondary students through a pilot project funded by RBC Future Launch.

Recognizing the importance of preparing youth for the future of work, The Royal Bank of Canada’s RBC Future Launch program has committed to helping eliminate the skills gap by funding a recent Riipen pilot that includes thirteen post-secondary institutions across Canada.

Riipen’s software allows two ways to connect: employers can upload real-world projects and competitions for students to address, under the guidance of their professors. As well, Riipen’s platform allows professors to present student-led projects that external organizations can select to address their specific needs. By bringing together students and professors from post-secondary institutions with community partners, Riipen creates a collaborative ecosystem where these partners work together to create meaningful and scalable work-integrated learning opportunities, addressing real-world challenges and opportunities. These projects provide students access to problem-solving opportunities for skills development and professional networking, better preparing students for the work world of the future.

Fanshawe faculty have started using this software with great success. Scott Veenvliet, coordinator of Fanshawe’s Research and Evaluation program has made connections with organizations in Ottawa and Toronto and lined up potential projects for his students this January. Scott says, “Riipen has been a great asset that has aided in connecting me with groups that I had not previously had contact with. Riipen facilitated the sometimes difficult task of linking external organization needs to our program objectives and as a result, this year’s Fanshawe Research and Evaluation students will have a positive impact on several real-world projects.”

Fanshawe is committed to providing its students with a quality education that allows them to develop, apply and validate the skills necessary to prepare them for the future of work in an ever-changing workplace.

The College looks forward to strengthening its relationships with local industry and community partners and developing new relationships. As employer needs continue to evolve at a rapid pace, it is crucial that Fanshawe can adapt to meet the demands. Project-based, work-integrated learning provides a scalable and direct way to keep employers engaged with the curriculum. 

“We are thrilled to be working with Fanshawe College to deliver meaningful project-based learning at scale and happy to have the support of RBC to help develop this partnership,” said Dana Stephenson, CEO, and founder of Riipen. “Students across the country are faced with significant challenges in developing their professional networks, gaining career clarity and proving they have the skills required to succeed in the future of work. Through these types of partnerships, we can help to support students' success post-graduation.”

For more information, please visit Fanshawe's media contact page.